Even as Barack Obama travels to Manhattan today to thank the NYPD for its quick actions in response to the attempted car bombing of Times Square, the Department of Homeland Security has decided to cut counter-terrorism funding for the city.

The Department of Homeland Security told congressional officials Wednesday that it’s moving to make cuts in anti-terror funding to New York City, less than two weeks after cops helped thwart and attempted car bombing in Times Square — an effort the White House has since pinned on the Pakistani Taliban.

The cuts, lawmakers were told, amount to about 25 percent for port security, and another 27 percent for transit security, according to several reports.

A cut of twenty-five percent for port security and twenty-seven percent for transit security. And this comes after Obama announced his intention to hold terrorism trials, including that of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, in lower Manhattan. Oh, and shortly after yet another attempted terrorist attack in Manhattan.

The federal government needs to cut spending and soon. But starting with counter-terrorism and national defense appropriations is ridiculous. The two expenditures combined don’t even begin to effect the federal deficit and budget in the way entitlement does. We need to reform welfare before we even think about cutting back funding intended to keep our citizens safe from terrorist attacks.

Thanks to Ed Morrissey.